New committee to aid students in judicial process
Last week, the new Student Union Office for Judicial Advocacy began accepting student applications for managerial and staff positions. These positions will increase students' awareness about the Brandeis disciplinary system, according to Student Union Advocate Josh Sugarman '05.The new office, expected to be in full operation by the end of the semester, was chartered under Sugarman's leadership.
According to Sugarman, the primary function of the new office will be "to ensure that when students have interaction with the disciplinary system, (that) they are advised of their rights," and have every opportunity and the means to participate in the judicial process.
The judicial process at Brandeis is carried out under the discretion of the University Board on Student Conduct (UBSC). The UBSC hears the cases of students referred by the Brandeis Department of Student Development and Judicial Education (SDJE) for violations of academic and behavioral standards.
Sugarman says the new office will take a more student-specific approach to assisting those involved in the judiciary process. Trained individuals would be available regularly to inform an accused student of the rules and procedures in the judiciary system and in hearings, and act as representatives to accused during hearings if requested.
SDJE Director Lori Tenser has supported the initiatives of the Executive Board, saying it will elevate student awareness of the judicial process.
"If it is done well and the response is good, (the office) really could be a great service to the community," Tenser said.
"Students are not always aware of all their options," Sugarman said. The new office would redress such problems and allow for students to take the appropriate course of action in a given situation, he explained.
Tenser emphasized that while the new office and review of the judicial system should provide significant benefits to Brandeis students, "no one has proposed changes to the (disciplinary) system itself."
The deadline for applications for positions in the Office for Judicial Advocacy is tomorrow.
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